Alarmed over the fate of seized live animals, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), under Environment Ministry has issued definite guidelines to the Chief Wildlife Wardens of the States on the custody and care of such animals. It has said that a specific officer from the zoos or rescue centres be designated to take charge of such animals and coordinate with the WCCB.
The custom authorities often seize poached live species/exotic birds etc, in airport from time to time. WCCB also recovers animals in raids or from several exit points along international borders. However, it has been found that the recovered animals are often not able to survive due to the poor conditions they are subjected to during the process of recovery from the wildlife smugglers.
The letter to Chief Wildlife Wardens states that the live animals so received need to be kept in safe custody and healthy condition. They may also be required to be kept in quarantine. Such facilities are, however, not available with WCCB.
The bureau has been charged with the responsibilities of assisting the States in prosecution related to wildlife crimes. States/ UT’s being mandated for management of wildlife, should come forward to take over the custody of such live animals whenever they are sought to be handed over by WCCB officials. Facilities for such custody need to be made available accordingly.
In another development, the bureau has also sent advisories to the Director Generals of Police of the States and UT’s clearing doubts on investigation of offences under Wildlife Protection Act by police officers.
Wildlife crime has become more organised during the past few years with inter-state and international ramifications. Hence, the role of police along with their expertise and resources in curbing such crimes is all the more important in the present scenario.
The letter says that due to differences in interpretations of the provisions under Sections 50 (1) and (8) of the Act the powers of police to investigate such cases are often questioned by certain authorities.
The Advisory states that Supreme Court has already clarified the existing ambiguity. Accordingly, any officer on behalf of Chief Wildlife Warden/ Forest Officer are empowered to exercise their powers ….. in this regard and it can specifically empower the Police Officer, not below the rank of SI to investigate into the matter. “This would certainly mean that police officers are not excluded from investigating such offences under WlPA”, the letter says.
The advisory adds that Wildlife Act also makes it abundantly clear that police officer is also empowered to search and seize the offending articles. The act also provides for penalties indicating that certain offences are cognisable when the police officer can arrest without warrant.